U.S.
Department of DefenseOffice of the Assistant Secretary of Defense
(Public Affairs)News Release

IMMEDIATE RELEASE No. 378-08May 03, 2008

DoD Identifies Army Casualty

The Department of Defense announced today the
death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Sergeant First Class Lawrence D. Ezell, 30,
of Portland, Texas, died April 30, 2008, in Baghdad of wounds suffered
when an improvised explosive device detonated near his unit during combat
operations. He was assigned to the 71st Explosive Ordnance Disposal Group,
Fort Carson, Colorado.

For more information related to this release,
media may contact the Fort Carson public affairs office at (719) 526-4143;
after hours (719) 526-5500.
May 3, 2008:

A decorated veteran of the wars in Iraq and
Afghanistan was killed Wednesday in Baghdad, the first casualty from his
Fort Carson-based bomb disposal group.

Sergeant First Class Lawrence D. Ezell, of
Portland, Texas, died after an improvised explosive device detonated near
his unit during combat operations, the Department of Defense said Saturday.

A
soldier of 62nd Ordnance Company (EOD) Joint Task Force Troy MND-B kneels
to pay a respects to his fallen comrade SFC
Lawrence D.Ezell during a memorial service at the Camp Taji north of Baghdad,
Iraq, Saturday, May 3, 2008

Soldiers
of 62nd Ordnance Company (EOD) Joint Task Force Troy MND-B salute as they
pay respects to their fallen comrade SFC
Lawrence D.Ezell during a memorial service at the Camp Taji north of Baghdad,
Iraq, Saturday, May 3, 2008.

Ezell, 30, was an explosive ordnance disposal
specialist. He was on his second tour in Iraq, deploying November 1, 2007,
with fellow members of the 71st Explosive Ordnance Disposal Group. The
unit has fewer than 100 people in Iraq.

He received the Bronze Star Medal, the Army
Commendation Medal, the Army Achievement Medal and the Senior Explosive
Ordnance Disposal Badge.

He served in Iraq from March 2003 to October
2004 and in Afghanistan from October 2005 to April 2006, according to records
from Fort Carson.

Ezell joined the Army on Jan. 11, 1997, and
the 71st Explosive Ordnance Disposal Group on March 23, 2007.

A casualty assistance officer reached by telephone
at Ezell's Fountain home on Saturday said the soldier's widow, Christina,
did not want to comment. The Gazette could not locate relatives in Texas.

A Tivy High School graduate was laid to rest
Monday with full military honors at Arlington National Cemetery.

Sergeant First Class Lawrence David Ezell,
30, died April 20, 2008, in Baghdad when an improvised explosive device
detonated near his unit during combat operations.

He is survived by his wife, Christy, and his
2-year-old son, Tristan. His immediate family members live in San Angelo.

Ezell was an explosive ordnance disposal specialist
on his second tour in Iraq.

He served in Iraq from March 2003 to October
2004 and in Afghanistan from October 2005 to April 2006. He most recently
was deployed November 1 as a member of the 71st Explosive Ordnance Disposal
Group of Fort Carson, Colorado, which has fewer than 100 people in Iraq.

Army Lieutenant Colonel Randall Fernette of
Ingram, a reservist who was called to active duty after the September 11,
2001. attacks, said Ezell used to ride along with him when Fernette was
a Kerrville Police Department officer.

“He was trying to decide whether he wanted
to go into law enforcement or the military,” Fernette said. “He would ride
with me on patrol. He was always eager to learn and interested in just
about everything."

Precinct 1 Constable John Lavender taught Ezell
while he was a student at Tivy.

“David was very mature for his age and goal-oriented,”
Lavender said. “He was in my auto mechanics class but was very interested
in law enforcement at the time.”

Ezell worked at the Kerr County Jail for a
while and was a member of the Kerrville armory of the Texas Army National
Guard before he joined the military.

“I remember David as someone who was very patriotic,
loyal and who loved his country,” Lavender said. “I’m sure he was a distinguished
soldier defending this country in Iraq.”

His military commendations echo Lavender’s
sentiments.

Ezell’s awards and decorations include the
Bronze Star Medal, the Army Commendation Medal, the Army Achievement Medal
and the Senior Explosive Ordnance Disposal Badge.
NOTE: I just found out that this very good
friend of mine at Fort Carson from 1998-2000 had passed over a year ago.

I ETS'd from the Army in March of 2003
after being Stationed in Ansbach Germany on the Katterbach Army Airfield
with at least 2 people who also knew Dave well during our time @ Carson.

I also just found out that he had remarried
and had a son. My heart goes out to his Family. I wish there was some way
that I could tribute my friend and also let his family know what a wonderful
friend, soldier, and Man he was. Even though I only knew Dave for a short
time I will not forget him or his smile, compassion, and willingness to
do anything for a friend and probably even a stranger that he has never
met.

I appreciated him taking me under his wing
when I first got to Colorado. It was my first permanent duty station after
training and as you can imagine after 4-5 months of training I was getting
pretty homesick. Dave showed me around introduced me to his friends and
made me feel much more at home in the Army and in Colorado. I am sure that
my life has been infinitely enriched for having known Dave and am very
saddened at his passing. I don't think I ever knew anyone who disliked
Dave. His smile could literally "light-up" a room. Please let me know how
I can honor his grave site and/or send my respects to his family.
He was a great man and should be remembered as such. He was too young
with tons of potential and plans and hopes and dreams. One of the
smartest people I met in my 5 years of service.